India Republic Day celebrations in UAE begin

Dubai - Over 300 Indian expats attended the three hour event.

As Indian expats gear up to celebrate their 71st Republic Day on January 26 with great pomp and show, the Indian consulate in Dubai has started the celebrations of the big day a couple of days in advance by conducting several cultural performances and shows representing the countries diverse cultures and people.
On January 24, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (Dubai) Chapter NPIO in association with the Consulate General of India in Dubai celebrated Republic Day with a power packed patriotic event titled '150th Year of Mahatma and 71st Republic Day of India' in the Indian consulate auditorium. 
Over 300 Indian expats attended the three hour event that saw a number of patriotic performances from different schools and groups in the form of skits, classical dances, Bollywood style performances, short talk on freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi by RJ Gaggan Mudgal and patriotic melodies and songs by trained artists.
CA Anish Mehta, chairman ICAI Dubai and CA Sundar Nurani, vice-chairman of ICAI Dubai, felicitated the Consul General of India Vipul who welcomed members of the Indian community on the occasion.
Greeting the members of the Indian community, CG Vipul said: "I must congratulate the ICAI Dubai team for putting up such a colourful and wonderful show and it was great to see our younger generation - students and other cultural groups - representing different forms of cultures prevalent in India. It is indeed a day of celebration as it marks the day when the Constitution of India came into effect on January 26, 1950, a constitution that has held us in great stead as a country for the past seven decades." 
Talking about the India-UAE relationship, CG Vipul said: "Also celebrating this occasion here in the UAE is significant because UAE-India relationship has been exceptional for India. We have made great progress in this relationship especially in the last five years and there is a great connect between the two countries which I believe will be further enhanced this year with the Expo 2020 that will see India participate in a big manner. Whether it be technology, economy, social sector, sports, India has big achievements to show and it is important for our younger generation to be proud about their country and culture."
Also on Friday, the Indian consulate also partnered with FoI events and hosted a performance of Yakshagana, which is traditional and age old theatrical dance recital from the Indian state of Karnataka, at JSS International School in Jumeirah Village Circle. A renowned group of 15 artists from Udupi district in Karnataka presented the traditional Indian theatre form (Yakshagana) that combines dance, music, dialogue, costume, make-up and stage techniques with a unique style and is believed to have evolved from pre-classical music and theatre. The event is open to all art lovers and entry is free.
The Indian consulate in Dubai will have a flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of 71st Republic Day of India at the consulate on Sunday, January 26, 2020 from 7am onwards. The national flag will be hoisted by Consul General Vipul at 7.30am and this will be followed by a reading of the President's message and cultural performances.
saman@khaleejtimes.com